Writer as a rockstar

Frank admission: I had heard of the book (Caste Matters), but forgotten the name of the author.

- SHOBHAA DE

The book (published in 2019) is frequently described as explosive, and Suraj Yengde, the 35-year-old author, gets blurbed as a first generation dalit scholar, educated across continents, who challenges deep-seated beliefs about caste and unpacks its many layers. I had not read the book but now I will, after meeting Suraj at the just concluded Kerala Lit Fest in Kozhikode.

Dressed like a rockstar in strawberry pink drainpipe pants, a rainbow-hued ganji hugging his lithe frame, fitted navy blue blazer with a foppish pocket square, pitch black shades (indoors) and a halo of unruly curls framing his face-the man had attitude written all over him, as he pulled up a chair and introduced himself. Our connect was instant and fun!